6 Things You Should Never Say to Your Professor

A lot of things change when you start college, including how you communicate with your teachers. Your professors will have different expectations than your teachers in high school did, so it’s important you know what to say — and what not to say.

We asked real professors for insight into what you should never say to them. Avoid these six faux pas when speaking with your college professors.

In general, it’s best not to question whether you need to remember the information your professors are teaching you. Asking questions like “Do we need to know this?” or “Will this be on the final?” is silly at best and disrespectful at worst.

“The underlying sentiment is that nothing in the class is worth paying attention to unless it garners more points on the exam,” said Andrew Ward, a professor at Tulane University. “Countless hours of passionate research, course design, lesson planning, and lecture-writing, and the student asking this question couldn’t. Care. Less.”

Students are adults in college, and professors will treat them as such. You have the agency to choose a respectful time to quietly leave to use the bathroom, so don’t bother asking for permission.

“It’s always a little funny when students put their hands up and ask to go to the bathroom,” said Chris Drew, a professor and founder of The Helpful Professor. “If you need to go to the bathroom, just politely excuse yourself. You don’t need permission!”

If you plan to skip a day of classes or can’t finish an assignment in time, avoid giving different professors different excuses.

“Don’t tell one lie to get an extension to one professor and another lie to the other professor,” said Drew. “We communicate to corroborate stories, so get your story straight.”

As with most things in life, telling the truth is your best bet. “We’ve heard every lie under the sun and can sniff them out a mile off,” said Drew.

Never ask a question whose answer exists in the syllabus. Professors spend a lot of time developing the syllabus as a guide to the course and its expectations.

Asking a question with a clear answer in the syllabus can be disrespectful, not to mention frustrating.

“There are no wrong or dumb questions, so students should feel free to ask anything,” said Ziad Bentahar, a professor at Towson University. “But don’t ask questions like ‘When are your office hours again?’ unless you check the syllabus first and you are sure that that info is missing.”

While it’s fine to request clarification, take time to read through the syllabus before asking your professor any basic or routine questions.

Using the appropriate title for your professor is a sign of respect.

Default to calling them “Professor” followed by their last name — or even simply “Professor” — if they haven’t asked you to call them something else.

“If a professor tells you how they want to be addressed, never address them otherwise,” said Bentahar. “When it’s not clear, ‘Professor’ always works because it’s a general term for college instructors, even if the professor in question does not technically hold the title of professor.”

Bentahar also advises students never to use Ms. or Mr. when addressing a professor. But what about “Doctor”?

“Dr. should be reserved for faculty who hold a Ph.D. or other doctorate, which is not the case for everyone and every field,” said Bentahar.

If you have to miss a class or submit a late assignment, professors often don’t want to hear the gory details of your illness or injury.

“‘I’m ill and can’t make it’ is sufficient,” said Erin Looney, a professor at the University of the District of Columbia. “Same goes for the illnesses of your children, siblings, parents, or anyone else for whom you might have responsibility.”

If you’ll be out for a significant amount of time, it’s fine to communicate the severity of your illness or injury.

When in doubt, be honest — but always remain professional.